Singh offers healing touch

Hyderabad, Feb. 24: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today met some Hyderabad blast victims and promised a 22-year-old MBA student who has lost a leg: “We will take care of you.”

Singh, whose government has come under fire in Parliament over the attack, reaffirmed the Centre’s resolve to fight terror.

The Prime Minister promised the state government all help and lauded the people of the city for “refusing to be provoked” by the “nefarious” act. “I call upon the people to maintain calm in this hour of grief,” he said.

He had yesterday termed the strike a “dastardly” act and said those responsible would not go unpunished.

After spending a few minutes today at the two blast sites in Dilsukhnagar, Singh went to two hospitals, Yashoda and Omni, where the injured are being treated. He met three of the seriously injured — Rajitha, the 22-year-old MBA student, Rajesh and Rajendra Prasad — and families of other victims, assuring them of all support and help in recovering from the tragedy.

The Prime Minister walked up to Rajitha’s bed at Yashoda hospital, where she lay with one leg amputated.

“I have come to share the grief of the people of Hyderabad. I express condolence to the families of the bereaved and wish speedy recovery to those injured,” he said. Before leaving, he turned to the girl and promised: “We will take care of you.”

Consoling the mother K. Parmeshwar, another of those injured, the Prime Minister promised all possible care to her son.

The Prime Minister said his visit was meant to provide a healing touch to the victims and infuse confidence among the people about the Centre’s determination to battle terror.